Strengthening Bonds Through Sports: Meaningful Meetings with Special Children

A meaningful social responsibility project, conducted in collaboration with our Faculty of Sports Sciences, the Barrier-Free University Student Unit, and Hicri Ercili Special Education School, touched the lives of children with special needs through sports.

The activities, coordinated by third- and fourth-year students in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching, under the direction of our faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Büşra Süngü as part of the Community Service and Social Responsibility course, contributed to the children's physical development and aimed to increase their social interaction.

The activities, which continued throughout the spring semester as part of the project, began with a physical activity track set up in the garden of Hicri Ercili Special Education School. With the active activities, accompanied by music, the children had fun and had the opportunity to develop their motor skills. The following week, colorful and fun tracks, easily accessible to individuals with special needs, were laid out in the schoolyard. These tracks provided a safe play and development area for children.

A "hemsball" promotional event was also held for students with special needs. This little-known sport, which helps develop coordination and attention, was met with great enthusiasm by the children.

The project was crowned with a friendly match held on our university's football field, where the warmth of the match was evident. Senior students in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Teaching met with children with special needs on the same field. This special match, filled with sportsmanship, solidarity, and joy, left a lasting impression. At the end of the match, our teacher candidates presented medals to the children with special needs, immortalizing this moment.

These projects serve as examples of individuals with special needs participating more strongly in society through sports, while also providing our teacher candidates with valuable awareness and experience in the field of special education.

We thank all the students, academic staff, and the administrators and teachers of Hicri Ercili Special Education School who contributed to this meaningful initiative.